By-pass assembly for service pipes



Jan- 17, 1956 F. H. MHELLER ET Ax. 2,731,041

BYPASS ASSEMBLY FOR SERVICE PIPES Filed June 18, 1952 INVENTOR /can/f /z/ /Vae//er ATTORNEYS Jan. 17, 1956 F. H. MUELLER ETAL BY-PASS ASSEMBLY FOR SERVICE PIPES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 18, 1952 R m N //4/ wx. Sv N5 um. m, www m/w;M J WL() L M 6 .K .r/.v x Q5 w lll `Hu L! 5 E s F g @v Nw. QN *NM Nv Se No |m-mH||H Qu Q n@ M. Nb @o QN NW Ww Sv um wm w% m u ATTORNEYS Jam v17, 1956 F. H. MUELLER ETAL l 2,731,041

BY-FASS ASSEMBLY FOR SERVICE PIPES Filed June 18, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS United States Patentv BY-PASS ASSEMBLY FOR SERVICE PIPES Frank H. Mueller and Frederick Tratzik, Decatur, Ill., as-

gnors to Mueller C0., Decatur, Ill., a corporation of mois Application June 18, 1952, Serial No. 294,285

3 Claims. (Cl. 13S- 97) This invention relates to improved means for repairing, without replacement, a leaky section of a gas or water service pipe conducting fluid from a street main into a house or other building. More particularly, this invention pertains to an improved by-pass assembly that is insertable into the service pipe from within the house or other building to isolate or seal off the walls of the leaky section of such pipe. Additionally, this invention pertains to an improved wrench device used in the installation of the by-pass assembly. The invention will be described with reference to gas service pipes, but it will be understood that the invention is applicable to service piper for water or other iluids.

Gas service pipes which run underground from the street main into the basement of a house are made of iron or steel. Hence, in time, such pipes frequently become defective and leaky because of corrosion, such corrosion usually occurring just outside of the basement wall of the house because of the drainage of water from the roof. By-pass assemblies of the type with which this invention is concerned are known, and eliminate the inconvenience and expense of digging a trench outside of the basement wall to replace the defective section of the service pipe. Known assemblies of this nature, however, not only are unduly complicated, but also do not permit unobstructed flow of fluid therethrough. This latter disadvantage, of course, greatly increases any tendencies of the assembly for clogging with consequent interruption of servce, and also somewhat diminishes the flow capacity of the assembly.

Known by-pass assemblies of the type under consideration include a special wrench device which is used for their installation. Again, however, known wrenches of this nature are also rather complicated, with resulting difiiculty in use and increased manufacturing expense.

Additionally, gas usually is not shut olf at the main during the installation ofea by-pass assembly of the type under consideration, so that gas escapes into the basement during such installation. The escape of a large quantity of gas presents obvious hazards.

Hence, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved and simplified 'oy-pass assembly of the type under consideration, which not only is effective for its intended purpose, but also results in economies in manufacture and increased ease of installation.

lt is another object of this invention to provide an improved by-pass assembly of the type described that has an unobstructed ow passage therethrough to both eliminate the possibility of clogging and minimize reduction in flow capacity of a service pipe when the assembly is installed therein.

lt is still another object of this invention to provide an improved and simplified special wrench device for installing a by-pass fitting embodying this invention, such wrench device not only facilitating the installation of the assembly, but also decreasing the manufacturing cost of such wrench.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an ICC improved special wrench device which, during installation of the by-pass assembly with such wrench, minimizes the escape of gas into the basement.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a typical service pipe installation and showing the installation in such pipe of a by-pass assembly embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view illustrating the details of the by-pass assembly installation shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 and illustrating a service saver embodying this invention in place in a service pipe but before permanent installation therein, and a special wrench device embodying this invention in engagement with the by-pass assembly for effecting the permanent installation of the latter within the service pipe.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view corresponding to a portion of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view corresponding to a portion of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the left end of the by-pass assembly illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a'specialwrench device embodying this invention.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Figure l a typical gas service pipe installation. The pipe Ztl, which usually is made of iron or steel, is con nected to a street main 22 by a service T 24 and runs underground through the basement wall 26 of a building. The end of the pipe 20 projecting into the basement ordinarily has one end of a T 28 threadedly connected thereto while the opposite end of the T 28 is closed by a plug 30. The usual riser line 32 is connected into the lateral or side outlet of the T 28 and leads to the customary gas meter (not shown). The ground immediately adjacent the basement wall 26 usually is damp, due to water drainage from the building roof and other reasons, so that the iron or steel service pipe Ztl frequently becomes corroded suiciently at this point to leak. Since the remainder of the pipe 20 is relatively sound, repair of the leaky section 34 will provide many more years of useful life for the pipe. Repair of the leaky section 34 without the necessity of excavation may be accomplished by a by-pass assembly 36 embodying this invention.

The by-pass assembly 36, best shown in Figures 2 and 3, consists of a main body portion in the form of a copper or brass tube 38 having copper or brass fittings 4l) and 42 soldered or brazed to the opposite ends thereof. The forward fitting 40, i. e., the fitting at that end of the assembly 36 which is inserted first into the service pipe 20, consists of a tubular member having an interiorly and exteriorly reduced rearward portion which is snugly received within one end of the tube 38 and soldered or brazed thereto in a conventional manner. The forward and enlarged portion of the fitting 40 is interiorly threaded for the reception of a correspondingly exteriorly threaded nipple 44. The forward end of the nipple 4'4 projects out of the fitting 40 and is provided with an exterior circumferential liange 46 which is opposed, longitudinally, to the liat annular end of the fitting 40 to form an exterior circumferential groove.

therebetween.

Disposed snugly in this groove is a yieldable annular paekiiig gasket '2%8, preferably/of rubber'or other resilient material having adequate packing qualities. The outer diameter of the gasket 38, when relaxed, is somewhatless thanth vinteriord meterof'th'e s vice pipe'ti, asmsh'ow-n iii-Figures -3` and ,4, Preferably, `a'rnetallie anti-friction washerY (4,9, of *brass or. the"'1ike',is interposed between the gasket and ,the flange flflf'it willhbe noted that the forward or entrance end of the nipple 4 4 has an outwardly flaring interior surface 50 to provide a smooth intake orifice for How of fluid intothebypass assembly 36 from the service pipe 279, while therearward ends of both the fitting itland the nipple Mare each provided with a pair of diarnetric slots and 54, respectively, as shown best in Figures-5 .and 7. Priffsfehlt, the fesfwtfd iteir Surfaces of both the nipple 414 andthe fitriiig dit also flare gently outwardly, as shown, forfsmooth duid flow therethrough.

The--Cfwl'd .fitlil .4.2, has ,an exriorly reduced for' ward portion forsnuf g reception within the rearward end of the `body or tube 33of the assembly 36 and which is soldered or brazed to the tube in a Vconventiorial manner. A short distance to the rear of the reduced forward portion the fitting i2 is again reduced outer diameter to form a rearwardly-facing annular shoulder S6 and is exteriorly threaded for the engagement of an interiorly threaded sleeve or collar SS theieover. The fitting shoulder 56, in conjunctioriwith the forward end of the collar 58, forms an exterior circumferential groove in which is disposed another packing gasket 6i), similar to and to all intents and purposes the same as the gasket 4S at the forward end of the assembly 36. Preferably, another metallic anti-friction washer (il is interposed between the gasketdl and the collar 5S. The rearward ends of both the collar 58 and the fitting d2 are provided with a pair of diametric slots 6 2 and 6e, respectively, the collar Vslots 62 being considerably longitudinally longer than the tting slots 654, as is shown best in Figures 2 and 8. The interior of the forward end of the fitting 42 and the interiorl of the rearward ends of the fitting and the `collar 53 are also ared outwardly to provide for smooth ow of fluid therethrough.

In use, the byV-pass assembly 36 is installed in the service Apipe 20, as shown in Figure 3, to extend-therein from a point adjacent the T 28 through the basement wall 26 and outwardly beyond the leaky section 34 of the service pipe. The installation is completed by rotating the nipple 4.4 and the collar 58 with respect to their respective fittings 40 and 42 and in directions which will serve to narrow the grooves to compress the gaskets 4S and titi and thereby expand the latter radially outwardly into peripheral sealing engagement with the interior walls of the service pipe 20, as shown inFignre 2. When thus installed, it will be seen that the -walls of the leaky section 374i of the service pipe are completely isolated or sealed off and that ow will take place from the sound part of the service pipe through the bypass assembly 36 and into the T 28 for distribution through the riser 3.2 to the building piping system. Thus, the leaky section 34 of the service pipeE-tl is eifectively lay-passed by a structure which, in effect, relines the leaky section of the service pipe. Moreover, it will. be noted that the assembly 36 seals with the servive pipe Ztl. onk both sides of the leaky section 3d so that yany waterl drainage from the soil into the leaky section cannot drain into the basement. it lfurther will be noted that since the by-pass assembly 36 preferably is formed of copper, brass, or other non-corrodible material, the bypass assembly will remain effective for its intended purpose for an extended period of time. Likewise, the rubber packing gaskets 43 and 6G also wiil remain effectivefor their intended purpose for a greatly extended period of time.

.For installati@ .Of fheahava-des9rl2ed .by-.Pass eS- sembly 36 rthere yis provided a special wrench 'device 6 6 (Figure 9) that is insertable into the assemblyfrom the rearward end thereof. The wrench device 66 consists of along rod 6? having a diameter only slightly less than that of the smallest interior diameter of the fittings and 42. On its outer or rearward end the rod 63 is provided with a manipulating handle 7d which may be secured thereon any appropriate fashion, as by being received on a reduced threaded end portion of the rod and secured thereto by a nut 72. The rod (d is of a length sufficient to extendl completely through the T and through the by-pass assembly 36 to the Vforward end of the latter, as shown in Fg 'e 3. The forward end of the'rod o3 is provided with a diametric pair of longitudinal grooves 72 (Figures 4 and 9). Siecnrely mounted within each groove 74 is a key 76 having a spring shank 'ifi a head titl. The heads dii on these vkeys 76 are adapted to engage in the slots 54 at the rear end of the nipple d@ or alternately in the slots 52 at the rear end of the fitting lt will be seen that the spring Shanks 73 of the keys 76 urge the heads 80 radiallyvoutwardly of the grooves 74, for engagement in the aforesaid slots 5?. or 55s, but that `the radial diiriens'ion of both the heads the grooves is such that the heads may be pressed baci; and received completely within the grooves for passage of the rod 6e through both of the fittings iti and 42. En this connection it will be noted that the opposite ends of the key heads 3i) are bevelled so' that the inner edges of the fittings 4d and Ll?. or the bottoms of the slots 52 and 64 therein exert a camming effect on the keys 76 to push them back into their respective grooves 'l-i and thereby permit longitudinal movement of the rod through the bypass assembly 36. For convenience iii manufacture, the keys 76 may be formed as an integral unit having a cominonbase 82 (Figure 4) which may be disposed in a slot 34 extending through the rod 6d and connecting the grooves 74 at one end thereof. 'i his common base d?. may be secured to the rod 6d by means of a transverse pin o r rivet element 36.

Rotatably and slidably mounted on the rod 68 adjacent the rearward end thereof is a sleeve 88 of a length to project through the T 28 and into engagement with the rearward end of the by-pass assembly 36. For convenience of manipulation this sleeve 88 is provided with a radially extending handle 9j@ on its rearward end. The forward end of the sleeve 88 is provided with a diametric pair of forwardly or longitudinally extending lugs or keys 92 which are adapted to be engaged within the slots 64 at the rearward end of the fitting 492. ln this connection, it will be noted that the diametric distance between the lugs 92 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the sieeve 88 and that the radial dimension of the lugs is substantially equal to the radial dimension of the slots 64 in the fitting 42. To the rear of these lugs 92, the sleeve 8S is cut away exteriorly to form another pair of lugs or keys 94 that are aligned longitudinally with the lugs 92 and adapted to engage in the slots 62 at the rearward end of the collar SS.' These slots 62 and the lugs 94 are of considerably greater longitudinal dimension than the slots 64 and the lugs 92.

In use of the wrench 66 for installation of the by-pass assembly 36, the by-pass assembly is slipped over the rod 68, asshoivi/n, and the latter manipulated until the spring keys 76 thereonY engage in the slots 54 at the rearward end of the nipple 44. The sleeve S8 is then slid forwardly on the rodjS and manipulated until the lugs 92 thereon engage in the slots 6,4 in the rearward fitting 42 and in the collarSS. The plug 30 is then removed from the T 28 and the wrench 66, together with the by-pass assembly 36 mounted thereon, is quickly pushed through the T 2S and into the service pipe 29 until the rearward fitting 42 and 'collar :'38 are completely received within the service pipe, as shown in Figure 3. ln this position of the parts, the tube 38 and forward fitting 40 are held stationary by means of the sleeve handle 90, while the rod 68 is rotated by means of its handle 7l) to thread the nipple 44 into the forward litt'ingfitll andthereby 4compress the gasket48 to expand the same radially-outwardly into peripheral sealing engagement with the interior surface of the service pipe 20 and at a location therein beyond the leaky section 34 thereof. After the forward gasket 48 has been thus expanded by the procedure described above, the rod 68 is pulled slightly rearwardly to disengage the spring keys '76 from the slots 54 in the nipple 44 and manipulated to re-engage these keys in the slots 52 in the forward fitting 40, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 5 The sleeve S8 is thereafter pulled rearwardly to disengage its lugs 92 from the slots 64 in the rearward tting 42, while maintaining engagement between its lugs 94 and the slots 62 in the collar 58. Thereupon, the rod 68 is held fixed against rotation by its handle 70 to thereby maintain the tube 3S and rear fitting 42 fixed against rotation while the sleeve S8 is rotated by its handls 90 to thread the collar 58 tightly against the rear gasket 60 to thereby compress and radially-outwardly expand the same into peripheral sealing contact with the interior surface of the service pipe 20 to thus complete the installation of the by-pass assembly 36.

lt will be noted that the rod 68 is provided with a circumferential groove having a rubber O-ring 96 disposed therein (Figure 3). This groove and O-ring 96 are so located on the rod 68, that when the keys 76 on the latter are engaged with either the slots 54 in the nipple or the slots 52 in the fitting, the O-ring makes sealing contact with the interior surface of the rear fitting 42. This contact effects a seal between the rod 68 and the by-pass assembly 36 which effectively prevents flow of gas therethrough while the Wrench device 66 is being manipulated to expand the gaskets 48 and 60. Hence, since the outer diameter of both gaskets 48 and 60 is only slightly less than the interior diameter of the service pipe 20, only a very small quantity of gas may escape out of the T 28 past the wrench 66 prior to the expansion of the forward gasket 48 and once such forward gasket is expanded no gas may flow through the by-pass assembly 36 as long as the special wrench device is in operative position therein.

After the two gaskets 48 and 60 have been expanded to permanently maintain the by-pass assembly 36 in place in the service pipe 20 and to effectively reline or isolate and seal olf the leaky section 34 of its walls, the special wrench device 66 is pulled rearwardly out of the assembly and out of the T 28 and the latter quickly replugged.

It thus will be seen that the objects of the invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated and described to disclose the principles thereof may be changed without departing from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed by the spirit and scope of the following claims.

We claim:

l. A by-pass assembly for insertion into a service pipe to isolate the walls of a section thereof, comprising: an open-ended tubular assembly having an unobstructed passageway therethrough and provided with an exterior circumferential groove adjacent each end thereof, said assembly having a body and separate end parts with said body forming the inner side walls and said end parts forming the outer side walls of said grooves, said end parts being threadedly mounted on said body for longitudinal adjustment thereon to vary the width of said grooves; an annular radially-expansible gasket ring in each of said grooves and having an outer diameter normally slightly less than the inner diameter of the service pipe; and means defining a key slot in said body adjacent each end thereof and in each of said end parts with the body and end part slots at one end of said assembly opening radially inwardly and being accessible from within said assembly and the body and end part slots at the other end of said assembly opening longitudinally outwardly and being accessible from said other assembly end, said slots being engageable by a wrench device removably inserted in said assembly for effecting longitudinal adjustment of said end parts relative to said body to narrow said grooves and expand said rings into peripheral sealing engagement with the interior surface of the pipe.

2. The structure delined in claim l in which the end part slot at the other assembly end is longer than the body slot at said end.

3. A by-pass assembly for insertion into a service pipe to isolate the walls of a section thereof comprising: an open-ended tubular body having an unobstructed passageway therethrough and an exteriorly reduced end portion to form an exterior circumferential shoulder at one end thereof; a collar threaded on said end portion in opposition to said shoulder to form a circumferential groove therebetween, said collar and said end portion each having at least one key-slot at their outer ends opening longitudinally outwardly; a nipple threadedly engaged in the other end of said body and having an exterior circumferential flange opposed to said other body end to form a circumferential groove therebetween, said nipple at its inner end and said body inwardly of said nipple each having a key-slot therein opening radially inwardly and accessible from within the assembly; an annular radiallyexpansible gasket ring in each of said grooves and having an outer diameter normally slightly less than the inner diameter of the service pipe, said key-slots being engageable by a wrench device removably inserted in the assembly for effecting relative rotation between said body and said nipple and collar to compress said rings and expand the same into peripheral sealing engagement with the interior surface of the pipe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

